Rheumatoid Lung Disease Overview
Learn About Rheumatoid Lung Disease
Rheumatoid lung disease is a group of lung problems related to rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The condition can include:
- Blockage of the small airways (bronchiolitis obliterans)
- Fluid in the chest (pleural effusions)
- High blood pressure in the lungs (pulmonary hypertension)
- Lumps in the lungs (nodules)
- Scarring (pulmonary fibrosis)
Lung disease - rheumatoid arthritis; Rheumatoid nodules; Rheumatoid lung
Lung problems are common in RA. They often cause no symptoms, but for some people they are the main symptom of their RA.
The cause of lung disease associated with RA is unknown. Sometimes, the medicines used to treat RA, especially methotrexate, may result in lung disease.
Symptoms may include any of the following:
- Chest pain
- Cough
- Fever
- Shortness of breath
- Joint pain, stiffness, and swelling
- Skin nodules
Many people with this condition have no symptoms. Treatment is aimed at the health problems causing the lung problem and the complications caused by the disorder. Corticosteroids or other medicines that suppress the immune system are sometimes useful.
There is emerging evidence that pirfenidone and nintedanib may work for people with fibrosis due to rheumatoid lung disease.
Milford Regional Physician Group, Inc.
Thomas Conley is a Rheumatologist in Franklin, Massachusetts. Dr. Conley and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Rheumatoid Lung Disease. His top areas of expertise are Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), Bursitis, Tenosynovitis, and Gout. Dr. Conley is currently accepting new patients.
Milford Regional Physician Group, Inc.
Jane Curl is a Pulmonary Medicine specialist and an Intensive Care Medicine provider in Hopedale, Massachusetts. Dr. Curl and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Rheumatoid Lung Disease. Her top areas of expertise are Silicosis, Pleural Effusion, Pleurisy, Endoscopy, and Gastrostomy. Dr. Curl is currently accepting new patients.
Milford Regional Physician Group, Inc.
Kerri Batra is a Rheumatologist in Milford, Massachusetts. Dr. Batra and is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Rheumatoid Lung Disease. Her top areas of expertise are Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), Psoriatic Arthritis, Psoriasis, and Sjogren Syndrome. Dr. Batra is currently accepting new patients.
Outcome is related to the underlying disorder and the type and severity of lung disease. In severe cases, lung transplantation can be considered. This is more common in cases of bronchiolitis obliterans, pulmonary fibrosis, or pulmonary hypertension.
Rheumatoid lung disease may lead to:
- Collapsed lung (pneumothorax)
- Pulmonary hypertension
Contact your provider right away if you have rheumatoid arthritis and you develop unexplained breathing difficulties or worsening of baseline breathing difficulties.
Summary: The overall aim of the study is to develop and validate a Rheumatoid Arthritis-Interstitial Lung Disease (RA-ILD) clinical prediction model (screening tool) based on risk factors to guide screening for ILD in patients with RA using High Resolution Computed Tomography (HRCT).
Summary: Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that can affect various organs, including the lungs, and lead to rheumatoid arthritis-interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD). RA-ILD is responsible for increased mortality in rheumatoid arthristis (RA) patients. The prevalence of RA-ILD varies according to the screening tool used. The current gold standard is chest CT, but this is an expensive, time-consum...
Published Date: May 03, 2023
Published By: Denis Hadjiliadis, MD, MHS, Paul F. Harron, Jr. Professor of Medicine, Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Corte TJ, Wells AU. Connective tissue diseases. In: Broaddus VC, Ernst JD, King TE, et al, eds. Murray and Nadel's Textbook of Respiratory Medicine. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 92.
Ozasa M, Fuluka J, Smith ML. Chronic diffuse lung diseases. In: Smith ML, Leslie KO, Wick MR, eds. Practical Pulmonary Pathology. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 8.